The Neighbourhood: Local Band We Love

When I first encountered the video to The Neighbourhood’s super-catchy track “Sweater Weather”, I wondered exactly which neighborhood they might be from. It turns out they live not that far from KCRW’s studios, a mere 45 minutes away in Thousand Oaks.

This young quintet has sparked something that is making them an instant favorite among all those who hear them, with KCRW DJ Anne Litt declaring the track the “song of the summer” and regular spins on Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Watch the video for “Sweater Weather”:

Lead singer Jesse Rutherford started playing drums and singing at age 13, played in a hardcore band and eventually got into hip hop, a heavy influence on The Neighbourhood’s sound. As far as writing his lyrics, Jesse said, “It happens very naturally, when I write while I am rapping over the melody.” He has an amazing flow and his phrasing is very intriguing.

Also, intriguing is the band’s logo – an upside down house. I asked him about that unusual symbolism.

“I wanted something that was iconic that could fit in a thumbnail default picture for social networks. I thought of just a plain house, and then decided to turn it upside down. Half because it looks cool, and half almost humorously. I thought about the band Trash Talk’s logo, and also how the inverted cross is so popular. I feel like turning something upside down really is significant of my generation. It’s punk.”